When I was first asked to write a review on Jen Hatmaker’s newest book, Out of the Spin Cycle: Devotions to Lighten Your Mother Load, I was delighted, yet a little hesitant. Why? Well, to be perfectly honest with you, devotional books are not on my preferred reading list. If I am going to take the time to become immersed in a book it’s going to be a stupid novel where I can pretend to be the lead character or else I’ll get lost in Civil War-era historical fiction. The sole purpose is to forget the baby food stained attire that I call clothing these days. That’s just me — but let me tell you, after reading this book my views have changed!

Out of the Spin Cycle is an inspiring book that brings the teachings of Jesus to everyday motherhood scenarios. Jen creates a hilarious world that as mothers we can relate to. Jesus’ message comes alive with every chapter; so much so I am tempted to cover my house with sticky notes from the words of the devotionals, but instead I think I will stick to re-reading a chapter everyday. The chapters are short and to the point with writing that refuses to allow your hands to put the book down. After each chapter there is a “Step Out of the Spin Cycle” call to action that raises your awareness of Jesus’ message in your own life. Seriously, who can avoid a book with chapters titled “My Kids Are Headed To Therapy” and A Half-Filled Bag of Doritos?”

This book brings plenty of “aha” moments that sometimes come along with goosebumps because they hit so close to home. Not only does it encompass motherhood but it embraces our roles as women in our society. Out of the Spin Cycle is a must read for every mother and especially young moms like me who feel a little lost, bewildered, and overwhelmed at times. Through laughter, encouragement, compassion and comfort, Jen Hatmaker brings the world of motherhood and teachings of Jesus together in one simple and inspiring embrace. I highly recommend it!

Out of the Spin Cycle: Devotions to Lighten Your Mother Load by Jen Hatmaker is available June 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclaimer: I have created this review based on a complimentary copy of the book from Revell. All opinions are my own.

setting: last night 11:30 p.m. Trying to go to sleep.

me: sigh
the husband: What is it Bear?

me: ponytails.
the husband: What?
me: Willie Nelson’s ponytails.
the husband: what?
me: Do you think they saved his ponytails when he cut them off? I mean they should be bronzed and hung in a museum. Ooh, or do you think he gave them to Locks Of Love and now some little boy or girl going through chemo is walking around with a Red Headed Stranger’s wig? That would be awesome.
the husband: (in a wryly tone) uh hu…

me: Do you think Almost Willie cut his hair too? Is he still alive? I saw him at a dance hall when I lived in Ft. Worth. He totally plays up the “I look like Willie” card. I went on a date with a bull rider once. He couldn’t dance to save his life but neither could I so it didn’t matter.
the husband: really…

me: mmm pancakes. When was the last time you had pancakes at 3am?
the husband: Actually, I was playing a gig in Fort Worth and I went to….COMPLETELY INTERUPTING me: That was a good documentary on Chicano music in East LA that we saw tonight but there is something off about a middle-aged woman playing punk. All power to her but all I could see was my mom. Wait a minute I’m almost middle aged. This isn’t right.

the husband: is that all?
me: Do you think a pear chutney would go well with goat cheese biscuits?

the husband: Seriously, It must be interesting to live in your head.
me: Yeah, It’s a fun place.

Forgive me for not being at my bloggy best this week. I am currently trapped in the dreaded mom purgatory of the sick child. My days are full thermometers; my brand new hair cut is demolished by sticky syrupy cherry flavored baby meds; my entire wardrobe stained with Pedialite (and well you can imagine what else it’s coming from both ends); and my sanity is forever lost. Don’t get me wrong, there is no other place I’d rather be than right here beside her when she’s sick! It’s just a bit of a stressful and sticky situation. You know how it is. We drop everything for our children when they are sick. And we would do anything even sacrifice exploiting the contents of our purses to the doctor’s office waiting room just to bring five minutes of joy to our ailing children.

Mia’s had a fever for a week now. It started as a low-grade fever that lasted for days (which I thought was a teething fever) and now has progressed into a very high and dangerous level. We are off to the doctor again this morning for more testing. I hate to see her sick and it just breaks my heart. My husband is a worried mess and so am I but I think as a mom I just don’t show it. Is it just in our genes that we can handle these things better or does it come with the whole birthing process like breast milk. “By the way Mrs. Steele, once your placenta is delivered then your milk should come in and oh yeah here is your coat of armor. Have fun.”

Here’s to all of the grape or cherry flavored medicine covered mammas out there. May your children’s sick days end fast and greet you with a glass of wine and a foot rub at night. I’ll be back soon hopefully with clean hair and a fresh shirt.

This is a good viewing of what today is going to be like:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH6n-1anfxo&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

Yesterday watching the evening news I saw a story about the 1,000 solider lost in Afghanistan. I’ll tell you the truth… Usually theses stories fly right by me. I stop for a moment and listen but 5 minutes later that name and face escape me and I go on with my day. But yesterday was different. Not because it’s Memorial Day weekend or the fact that I’m just a high-strung mom these days but I listened because looking at him made me realize he was my brother, my sister, my father, my uncle, and my grandfather. He was one of us and he fought for our freedom, our safety, and our future. His name was Marine Cpl. Jacob C. Leicht from Texas.

Wether you are for standing behind our service men and women or against this war entirely, just remember that we are standing here free and protected because of these men and women. Take a moment today to question what freedom is and what it is worth to you. Would you die for someone else’s freedom? Would you travel far from your own family to protect another’s. They did. They will. They are.

Today, my family will get together to enjoy the sweltering Texas heat, light a grill and reflect on our loved ones that are standing for us now and protected us in the past. And if you are doing the same today, I ask you to please take a moment and do the same.

This post is dedicated to all of those who fought and died for our country. You will always be honored for what you have done for us. It is also dedicated to my Grandfather who fought in WWII and flew The Hump with bravery; my father (National Guard); my uncles (Army); my cousin (Air Force); my father-in-law (Marines), my brother-in-law (Marines); my college friend protecting us currently in Iraq (Army), and my little brother who is leaving us in August for basic training (Army). Thank You.

10 Things to Remember about Memorial Day by Mental_Floss

Wonder Pets Wonder Pets were on our way….

Wonder Pets Wonder Pets were on our way….

Wonder Pets Wonder Pets were on our way….

Wonder Pets Wonder Pets were on our way….

Wonder Pets Wonder Pets were on our way…

For my daughter’s one year birthday my mom, god bless her, gave my daughter a inconspicuous looking toy. Not just any inconspicuous looking toy but a Wonder Pets toy. Six months later, I have come to find that this toy is not so innocent. It is truly designed to drive parents into a manic state, hitting their heads against the wall while repeating the Wonder Pets mantra. This is what I have been doing today if you haven’t picked that up already.

I can’t take it away from her because she is teething and it is the only thing that is keeping her from chewing on every book and I’m running out of granita. So, I’m stuck here today trying not to call the state hospital requesting a voluntary stay.

This toy’s only function is to play the theme song over and over and over again. I’m convinced it’s a conspiracy put on by the Chinese so we become completely annoyed with the Wonder Pets. So much in fact that we force our kids to watch Ni Hao Kai-lan, learn the Chinese language and become a Chinese dominated world. Yes. That has to be it.

By the way, Mom I know you don’t hate me.

The wonderful and lovely blogger of In These Small Moments, Nichole, has graced me with the Versatile Blogger Award. Whoo hoo! You like me, you really like me! Oh god, some one just hit me with the Sally Field stick. Sorry. Ok, so where was I? Thanks Nichole and if y’all are ever in the mood to have a good laugh or just be entertained head on over to her blog, In These Small Moments. Its full of crunchy conservative contradictions!

In order to accept this award, the recipient must complete the following:

• Thank the person who gave them this award.
• Share 7 things about themself.

I accept! 7 things about me…hmmm

1. 

   a tour in Canada. lol!

   I’m an art school drop out! I spent 7 years of my life basically pursuing a masters in communication design and when I had enough of the “cheese monkeys” I ran with the wind at my back to be a roadie for my then musician husband. Oh don’t worry, after we grew tired of being on the road all the time I jumped back into the advertising industry and became a graphic designer creating billboards, prints ads, and ad campaigns for the masses for years only to find I despised the industry. Haha, I’m better at this mom thing anyway.

2. I have an eclectic and contradicting taste in art, music and anything to do with the culinary world. For example, I love Michelangelo but have Terry Allen’s Meanwhile hanging in my dining room. Billy Holiday plays on the Bose while The Ramones, Waco Tragedies, or The National is on the iPod and James McMurtry is in the car.
3. I think reality shows are the reason the rest of the world despises us. Especially those about housewives and 2-year-old beauty queens.
4. Having a micro-preemie made me realize what is truly important in life. Who cares about having the trendiest new bag when I have the miracle of a beautiful daughter and an amazing husband.
5. In the words of my award giver, I too am a “crunchy conservative” mom (just couldn’t say that any better). I try to be green and earth friendly but would never consider cloth diapers. Sorry, but laundry is my nemesis. I make my own baby food. duh. Have you read this blog? Why you may ask? Because I want the freshest most nutritious food for my daughter…. but the reality is any jarred/canned food that has a two-year shelf life just scares me.
6. Every spring I am drawn to take a backpacking trip and it usually ends up in a crazy story. Freak snow storms, bears, dehydration, rattlesnake dens… you get the picture.
7. I am a wearer of sock monkey slippers and I honestly think I will never completely grow up. I still have too many things to explore. Watch out Mia. You’re in for an interesting and fun life.

As a mother, father, or grandparent, let me ask you a question. If there was any shred of evidence that the produce you are giving to your child had the chance to give them ADHD would you still feed it to them? That seems to be the question everyone is asking themselves this week after a new study was released stating the possible connection between pesticides and ADHD.

The study published in the journal Pediactrics states children exposed to organophosphates a type of pesticide found in commercially grown produce are more likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than children with less exposure.

Researchers measured the levels of pesticide byproducts in the urine of 1,139 children from across the United States. “Children with above-average levels of one common byproduct (organophosphates) had roughly twice the odds of being diagnosed with ADHD.” –Pediatrics. Although organophospates have been linked to behavioral and cognitive problems in the past this is the first study to make a direct connection to ADHD. Maryse Bouchard, PhD, the lead author of the study, states:

Organophosphates are designed to have toxic effects on the nervous system. That’s how they kill pests. The pesticides act on a set of brain chemicals closely related to those involved in ADHD so it seems plausible that exposure to organophosphates could be associated with ADHD-like symptoms.

This study is certainly not a definite conclusion that ADHD is caused by pesticides. What it does show is that a correlation exists and further research is indeed necessary. Researchers are advising parents to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly or choose organic for their children since children are more susceptible to the affects of pesticides.

getty images

To be truly honest with you I do not eat 100% organically and I don’t expect you to clear out your fridge after this post! (ohhh watch out, I said it) I do try my hardest to provide my daughter with as much organically grown foods as possible. To do that I go by this list created by organic.org. If you are a frequent reader of In Sock Monkey Slippers’ baby food recipes then you’ve seen this before. These are the top foods to buy organically because of their high levels of pesticides used or absorbed.

12 Most Contaminated

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Pears
• Grapes (Imported)
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Potatoes
• blueberries, including frozen

12 Least Contaminated

• Onions
• Avocado
• Sweet Corn (Frozen)
• Pineapples
• Mango
• Asparagus
• Sweet Peas (Frozen)
• Kiwi Fruit
• Bananas
• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Papaya

Here is a link for a PDF version for your wallet or iPhone app of the list! The Shopper’s Guide.

What do you think? Is this just another overhyped study created by hippies or a validated excuse to fill in your pool with dirt and start your own garden?

Talk amongst yourselves…*waving my hand toward you with a thick NY accent*

(sorry I just saw an old episode of Coffee Talk and couldn’t resist)

sources: Health.com, Pediatrics, Medscape.com

Mia was telling me the other day how much she likes to read and how I needed to get off my rear and get her some more books. I told her, “Why don’t I just get you a Kindle.” In which she responded, “Mom, that’s silly you can’t chew on a Kindle.”

She’s 18 months but the girl seriously loves to read. She even has favorites and when given a choice she really does tell you which ones to read to her.

Here are her favorites…so far.

Corduroy – Don Freeman’s classic children’s book, about a bear trying to find his button and ends up finding a friend. All time, hands down Mia’s absolute favorite. You’ll be sorry if you leave the house with out this one.

Silly Suzy Goose, by Petr Horacek. Silly Suzy Goose is just like all the other geese. But how she wishes she could hang upside-down like a bat or stretch like a giraffe. And how wonderful to jump, jump, JUMP like a kangaroo! Suzy wanders far from her flock, meeting animals very different from her. But when she crosses paths with a cranky lion, she learns the advantage of blending in with the crowd! Roarrrrhonk!

Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin by Mary Serfozo. This was a birthday gift for Mia’s one year birthday and she hasn’t put it down since. Peter’s looking for the one perfect pumpkin. Come join the search and see what he does when he finds it!

Bear of My Heart by Joanne Ryder. A mother bear makes promises to share the joys and wonders of the world with her little bear cub. As she introduces her child to the hills, lakes, caves and starry nights, she reminds Baby that no matter what, he will always remain the bear of her heart and she will always be there for him.

Forever Young by Bob Dylan – We bought this before Mia was even born! If you don’t have this already go and get it. It’s a must have for a children’s book collection!

Award-winning artist Paul Rogers gives a new interpretation of Bob Dylan’s lyrics to one of the world’s most beloved songs, Forever Young. With images inspired by classic Dylan songs and pieces of his life, this is a bold and touching tribute to an anthem whose message will always stay forever young.

Here’s a sneak peek:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc-a1kP7ITA&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

Like I said, these are Mia’s favs so far…..

In my opinion among the ample boobs and plastic faces there’s not much reality in celebritism. But they’re around us everyday and even if we tried hard to avoid it they still seem to have an influential hold on some of us. Kinda of like a bad song on the radio that gets played over and over. You hate it but can’t seem to stop humming it. Then eventually you buy the entire album only to trash it in a couple of months.

As a new mom I have noticed how much celebrities, with their “expert” parenting opinions, can stick a stiletto in the term parenting or throw a halo around it for others to admire. With little Suri Cruise running around in 3 inch heels, and another parenting book hitting the shelves by Kate Gosselin, I am forced to shed light on the do’s and don’ts of celebrity parenting.

Celeb Parenting Do’s

photo: People.com

Reese Witherspoon – Oscar-winning actress, and a Children’s Defense Fund board member, Reese is the down-to-earth, level-headed celebrity mom. She doesn’t believe in spoiling her kids – “Kids do best when they only have a couple of things they really enjoy.”

Do: realize your child will love you even without the $22,000 child size Grand Victorian Mansion.

photo tina-fey.org

Tina Fey – Actress, comedienne, writer, and producer this mom knows her priorities and can laugh at herself along the way. What makes her a good celeb mom? She includes her daughter in everything and even gets her material from her. She’s also a supporter of Autism Speaks and Mercy Corps.

Do: put your children in front of your career.

photo: mtv.com

Jennifer Garner – award-winning actress and busy mother of two, this mom doesn’t walk around with a string of nannies and still finds time to help those in need by working for Save the Children.

Do: spend more time with your children than your nanny does.

Celeb Parenting Don’ts

photo: babble.com

Jon and Kate Gosselin – You all know who they are and are probably asking the same question as I, “Why are they famous and why can’t I stop watching this train wreck?” The reality show stars first came onto the seen in their “Jon and Kate Plus Eight” series focusing on life with a set of twins and sextuplets and now have hit rock bottom with a nasty public divorce.

They win the award for the ultimate Don’t: become completely selfish during a brutal divorce and chose fame over your own children.

photo:bigpicture.com

The Cruise Family - Ok, we all know Tom and Katie are a little a lot Michael Jackson far gone off the beaten path. Some love them and some can’t stand to even think about them but as celeb parents they totally miss the point of “spare the rod any type of discipline, spoil the child.” With a designer wardrobe, 3 inch heels, $850 purses, no bedtime, and real tiaras as toys it is said that Suri already exhibits a “Paris Hilton attitude.” I’m not one to judge, but really 3 inch heels on a 3-year-old?

Don’t : Let your child run all over you and grow up too fast. Childhood is a precious thing. Cherish it and please, spider veins and back pain is not for toddlers.

photo: marieclair.com

Kate Moss – the gorgeous model Kate Moss an expert of bad judgement? Shocker. Gotta love her but as a mom….well? All I have to say is…

Don’t: 1. leave your children in the hands of known hard-core heroin users while you are in rehab and 2. forget your children’s birthday not once, not twice, or even three times. Just don’t.

OctoMom – we all know who I’m talking about but her name escapes me. Don’t: Have 8 babies to fill a void when the other 8 babies don’t do the trick. Especially when you don’t have a job.

The Lohans – Parents to the child actress Lindsey Lohan. Don’t: freeload off your children. It should be the other way around (at least until your 18).

Britney Spears and K-Fed- Duh y’all. (sorry, had to say it)

This post is a little early for mother’s day but it makes me want to say, “Mom, thanks for not putting me in heels, doing heroin in front of me, forgeting my birthday, leaving me when you want to be on Dancing With The Stars, using me as a pawn or spoiling me rotten. You’re awesome. You really are and I love you.”

Martha moments come few and far between for this girl – and this one was an accident with lots of cursing involved. {By the way, I wish Martha would really say what she thinks on her show. I would tune in if she would just say, “shit, this béarnaise sauce is too runny.”}

Before the sweltering Texas heats strikes down, the three of us got out in the gardens yesterday and got to work. Mia had an excellent time in the dirt. It wasn’t before long that I started to wonder if I should I be concerned with how much dirt and plants was consuming.

While watching my daughter eat practically all of my basil, I accidently dropped a terra-cotta pot on my foot and it shattered. The pot not my foot. After all of the profanity that is now probably infused into my 18 month old daughter’s brain was over, I wondered what I could used the shattered pot for. After seeing and wanting $60 plant markers on Etsy recently, I picked up the pieces and headed on over to the herb garden to make my own.

It worked and is totally easy. All you do is throw a pot on the ground (that is if you  haven’t accidently dropped one on your foot already). With a marker, stencils or vinyl sticky letters write the name of the plant or herb on the broken pot piece and then place it in the ground next to the chosen plant. Simple, useful, eco-friendly and attractive. This would be a great project for the kiddos too!

Martha Stewart I am not. If she would have done this, the plant name would be written in cursive with a Dremel tool and then overlaid with gold foil.

It’s soooo a good thing.